MIKEL ARTETA may lack a prolific No9 but in William Saliba he has one of the best defenders in the Prem.
William Saliba and Gabriel have been superb all season[/caption]
But their brilliant backline still emerged with credit from this tricky clash at the City Ground.
Together with Gabriel, Saliba kept a tight lid on Forest dangerman Chris Wood, who scored a hat-trick in his last appearance on this ground.
Arsenal were well organised if toothless in attack, with Arteta mixing things up not by dropping Mikel Merino, but by playing Declan Rice a bit further forward.
That meant Jorginho was brought into the side but the veteran midfielder lacked intensity and Nuno Espirito Santo‘s side had little trouble dealing with him.
The same can be said of skipper Martin Odegaard, who has looked out of sorts in recent weeks.
Instead Arsenal’s biggest threat came from Riccardo Caliofiori, who hit the post in the first half before being hooked at the break – Mikel Arteta seeming to prefer the more steady Kieran Tierney instead.
Ethan Nwaneri earned another start and showed bright sparks though chances from open play were few and far between from the visitors.
Here is how SunSport’s Graeme Bryce rated the Gunners’ display...
DAVID RAYA – 7
Could have brought a deckchair for the first half as he was rarely troubled and had to be content with fielding practice for the first 45 minutes.
His heat map for the second half might be interesting as he seemed to spend as much time outside his box as in it as the Gunners camped in Forest’s half.
But when he was needed he got his angles right to defy Wood to keep his side on level terms.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 6
Fluffed an early opportunity to get a shot off after Odegaard’s cut-back set him up. He who hesitates etc etc.
Too often failed to get his crosses into the danger area.
Cut a frustrated figure.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Purred through most of the match like a Rolls Royce in third gear!
Never flustered, used the ball well and sniffed out any slight danger long before it came to anything.
Could have played this game with carpet slippers on – and looked like he was when he slipped to let in Wood.
But he recovered brilliantly to block the frustrated forward’s shot with some brilliant last-ditch defending.
GABRIEL – 6
Was all over Wood like a rash in the early exchanges as he tried to assert himself over the powerful Kiwi.
Fist-pumped after winning tackles so was certainly up for the physical battle.
Not as effective after the break as Wood was much more prominent.
But in truth his feathers were rarely ruffled.
RICCARDO CALAFIORI – 7
Almost played as a false No.9… from left-back!
Walked a tightrope from the third minute after being booked for cynically pulling back Callum Hudson-Odoi in Forest’s first attack.
Diced with disaster midway through the first half when Hudson-Odoi skipped round him in the box and then went down after brushing against the full-back, who was a fraction away from conceding a penalty.
On the plus side, he was arguably Arsenal’s best attacker and was unfortunate not to give the Gunners the lead with a curling shot which crashed off the far post.
Subbed at half-time after having three touches in the Forest box and none in his own!
MARTIN ODEGAARD – 7
Thought he was finally going to break the deadlock in the final 10 minutes until he found out why Forest fans sing: “You’ll never beat Murillo!”
Zinchenko pulled the ball back for Odegaard whose shot was brilliantly cleared off the line by the Brazilian defender.
The Arsenal skipper had another attempt but it was saved by Sels – only for the flag to be raised for offside.
Odegaard was as classy as ever and swung over a string of wicked corners but couldn’t find the spark needed to break down Forest’s Red Wall.
JORGINHO – 5
Off the pace for much of the first half and gave away possession a few times, either with stray passes or needless fouls.
Worked hard enough in the middle of the park but failed to set the tempo of the game for Arsenal.
Like so many of his Gunners team-mates he lacked a cutting edge and Forest were able to contain him with ease.
Replaced by Oleksandr Zinchenko with 20 minutes remaining and wasn’t missed.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Got off to a positive start and surged towards the Forest goal early on, but was thwarted when Milenkovic desperately blocked his shot.
Clearly had his shooting boots on as he then fizzed a shot off Dominguez for a corner.
Swung over a series of dangerous corners but for once found no takers.
Put in a shift but not a commanding performance by any means.
ETHAN NWANERI – 6
Supplied plenty of crosses but was a bit hit and miss with his accuracy at times.
Denied a good scoring chance before the break when Murillo blocked him as he tried to pull the trigger.
But faded out of things after the break and was replaced by Raheem Sterling 13 minutes from the end.
MIKEL MERINO – 6
Worked his socks off defensively – maybe to the detriment of his striking duties at times because he failed to get one shot off in a dour first half.
Unfortunate to be penalised for a foul on Elanga when he cleverly nicked the ball from through the full-back’s legs.
Started the second half brightly and made Sels work with a powerful header at the back post which the keeper did well to save.
Failed to pack a punch though.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 6
Tidy enough in possession and rarely gave the ball away. But lacked a cutting edge and played in front of Forest’s defence where they could comfortably deal with him.
Not nearly positive enough.
SUBS
KIERAN TIERNEY – 7
Surprisingly replaced Calafiori at half-time – probably because Arteta didn’t want to risk a SIXTH red card in the league!
Was more assured defensively than the Italian – not that Forest carried much of an attacking threat.
Came close with a header from a Tierney corner but wasn’t helped by Merino clattering into him.
OLEKSANDR ZINCHENKO – 6
Put Jorginho out of his misery when he replaced him after 70 minutes.
Caused Forest some problems and thought he had set Odegaard up to break the deadlock with his accurate cutback.
But failed to time his run to perfection and was flagged offside.
RAHEEM STERLING – 6
Replaced Nwaneri with 13 minutes left on the clock but couldn’t break down Forest’s disciplined defence.
Went down at the edge of the box looking for a foul – only to give one away for handball!
BEN WHITE – 6
Replaced Timber with four minutes left to play.
THOMAS PARTEY – 6
Almost made an instant impact in the four minutes he was on but dragged his shot wide after replacing Odegaard with four minutes remaining.
